Whether it be in retail, manufacturing or construction, one truism has always held firm; it's difficult to compete with companies that have more capital and a larger market share than yours.But the big brand looming over your small business isn't impossible to topple. Smaller organisations have more resources than ever to gain firm footing in their industry and build positive year-on-year sales and revenue. The key is utilising the advantages you have in the right ways.Streamlining operationsWhile large companies have the financial resources to attract large clients and hire away quality candidates from competitors, the sheer size of their organisations coupled with the volume of work being done can hinder their internal operational agility.Small businesses have the ability to make quick decisions and act on them just as fast - whether it be a rush order for a new client, or transformational improvements to the company itself. This type of flexibility is harnessed through improving internally with digital upgrades that streamline back-end functions, but makes its impact felt on the warehouse floor.

Small- and medium-sized businesses are constantly looking for ways to contend with larger competitors.Without the right internal infrastructure in place, though, scaling to meet market demands can quickly lead to insolvency. Taking on more clients and orders is vital to financial growth. It often leads smaller organisations to introduce barcoding to keep better track of inventory, but a lack of a digital ecosystem to store, access and transmit that information is what ultimately becomes their downfall.Scaling for growthOn the surface, barcoding is a rather simple strategy that can yield a number of advantages. By assigning stock-keeping units (SKU) to products, management can gain better oversight over inventory levels and operations as a whole. With the food manufacturing industry moving closer to total automation, this type of internal improvement is vital to incorporating future technology.

There comes a time in the lifecycle of every company where it needs to digitise.Manufacturers in particular have made headlines for their innovative use of robotics and automation on the front-end, where enhancements can speed up productivity and improve profitability. But with that increased revenue comes another challenge: maintaining records.While the term bookkeeping earned its name for a paper-based process that was vital to an organisation, the technological revolution has changed the underlying method of that moniker. The need for business accounting software is growing quickly throughout many companies - here are some signs that it's time for yours to make a change:Bookkeeping has evolved into a digital process.1. Your finances are time consuming and often have errors.While the boon of technology is its ability to improve speed, that can be an issue if your accountants are still bookkeeping with pen and paper. Gathering orders, account names and other pertinent information is an efficient method, but one mistake can cost your organisation hundreds or thousands of dollars and hurt its reputation.2. Your company has too many silos.When some organisations digitise, management can forget that unless the business management software can connect to every endpoint, it can fail to fulfil its purpose. There's no use in logging in and out of multiple platforms just to get a name and a few numbers. Modern accounting software can connect directly with stock control, project invoices and even subcontractor claims to streamline the process. Small businesses that are growing quickly need to scale their accounting department. 3. Your company is starting to grow.Growth is a double-edged sword for small businesses. While your revenue is starting to take off, you may not have the right number of employees to help compensate for the increase in workload that's associated with success. Automated accounting allows office staff to scale their time management with that of the organisation's, and it frees them up to tackle other tasks as well.4. You're venturing into foreign markets.If you thought handling a single currency was difficult, you'll want to be prepared for ever-changing conversion rates if your organisation has been lucky enough to secure overseas contracts. It's always better to be safe than sorry, and business accounting software can ensure there are zero errors as you get familiar with the new country.At its core, digitisation is about improving key processes to improve productivity and drive profitability. Business accounting software - that can connect with other platforms - is a proven upgrade for any size organisation. Contact an Advanced Business Manager representative today to learn more.

The manufacturing industry is in the midst of a minor revitalisation, with new technologies and digital platforms being rolled out every quarter to help compensate for shrinking profit margins.In Australia, the sector recently hit its ninth continuous month of improvement; it now currently sits at 55 points, or 5 points above neutral, according to the Australian Industry Group. It has so far weathered the storm well in comparison to other waning markets, yet small- and medium-sized business owners will have to continue to improve their organisations moving forward to keep up with competitors.Digital revolutionTechnological upgrades are coming in every shape and form for the manufacturing industry. Robotics, the Internet of Things and 3D printing are all helping to save money on the front line - often replacing employees for more efficient machines.But it's the back-end of the businesses that need the most improvement, yet don't receive the same limelight. Increased costs for utilities and other key day-to-day tasks are expected to have a drastic affect on some organisations in the coming future, especially food manufacturers.

The manufacturing industry is in the midst of a minor revitalisation, with new technologies and digital platforms being rolled out every quarter to help compensate for shrinking profit margins.In Australia, the sector recently hit its ninth continuous month of improvement; it now currently sits at 55 points, or 5 points above neutral, according to the Australian Industry Group. It has so far weathered the storm well in comparison to other waning markets, yet small- and medium-sized business owners will have to continue to improve their organisations moving forward to keep up with competitors.Digital revolutionTechnological upgrades are coming in every shape and form for the manufacturing industry. Robotics, the Internet of Things and 3D printing are all helping to save money on the front line - often replacing employees for more efficient machines.But it's the back-end of the businesses that need the most improvement, yet don't receive the same limelight. Increased costs for utilities and other key day-to-day tasks are expected to have a drastic affect on some organisations in the coming future, especially food manufacturers.